I had similar concerns as an adult being diagnosed for the first time. However, for the diagnostic process billing, I was prepared for the roughly $1700 bill. When I called my insurance company they were quite willing to say that unless you are under 18 years of age,...nothing would be covered. If you want mental health services,...it's all out of pocket. So, much to my surprise when I talked to billing at the psychologist's office, they knew the correct billing codes,...and I paid around $200. What is involved? My experience was 2 appointments. The first appointment was my wife and I being split up,...she did about an hour interview with the psychologist to help the psychologist understand "What is it like living with me?" but more towards identifying potential autistic traits. I, on the other hand, was pulled aside to do several different cognitive performance tests, each designed to challenge and measure where my strengths, weaknesses, and IQs in specific areas. That part took a few hours. Then, after my wife's interview,...my wife had to leave for work,...I was interviewed by the psychologist, and did a few more performance tests. That took about another hour. Then,...another hour in another room doing a written test which appeared to be a much more comprehensive version of the on-line "autism quotient" test. Several weeks later, after all the information was tabulated and a final written report created, another hour appointment to go over the test results,...and diagnosis. In the US, there is the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA),...and a clinical diagnosis of autism is covered. Although the protections under the ADA are limited, it does require an employer to provide some limited accommodations if specifically asked for,...it often has to go through Human Resources Departments,...forms filled out, etc. Don't expect your boss to just comply "because you said so." The ADA also includes limited legal protections, considerations, and accommodations should one be arrested and presented in front of a judge. So, there are some real benefits to being professionally diagnosed. To your later questions regarding therapy,...at least in the US,...most of this will be out of pocket expenses, your time, and/or a lot of self-learning. Personally, I logged onto a website called "The Great Courses" and in there is a series of courses on "Understanding the Brain", "Understanding Nonverbal Communication", "Effective Communication Skills", "How Conversation Works", etc. Most of these courses were quite comprehensive and helpful, however, as an autistic individual trying to understand neurotypical communication, it is quite challenging. Basically, as an autistic, it gives you the skills to "mask" or "camauflage" your autism better. This whole concept of autistic "masking" is, for many, a potentially dangerous situation. Like it or not, neurotypical behaviors, right or wrong, are what make up societal norms and culture. Like it or not, neurotypicals, in general, have a difficult time with anything different. I know, that seems like the pot calling the kettle black, but it is true to anyone that has been subject to bullying, racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc. So, what do "helpful", "well meaning", parents, teachers, and therapists do to autistics? It all comes down to "Do this, not that". However, to an autistic, this is often perceived, especially to vulnerable young people, as "Who you are is not acceptable" which leads to depression, anxiety, and suicide. To the questions regarding "female vs. male" autism diagnosis,...I would imagine that psychologists are much better at this than they were, say, 10 years ago. Having said that, statistically speaking,...females, on average, are better at the skills of "observe and copy" social and communication,...aka "masking". As an adult female, your social and communication "masking" skills, conscious, or not, may lead a psychologist to score you as "less impaired". The problem is, realistically, how do you simply "shut things off" for the purposes of your professional evaluation? As an adult male, I made sure that I was off any "nootropic" supplements for a few days before my evaluation. I made sure that "I was at my worst",...my brain felt hot, I was in a fog, my eyes hurt, the ringing in my ears were a distraction, I made sure I was not "masking" as best I could,...basically,...made it obvious. Just make sure you don't "act" in front of a trained psychologist,...they will see right through it.
